Fallston field hockey blanks Crisfield, 2-0, to win Class 1A state title

CHESTERTOWN — Fallston junior Jenna Caldwell scored twice and the Cougars captured the Class 1A state championship for the second straight year with a 2-0 victory over Crisfield at Washington College.

"I'm just really glad, so happy we won," said Caldwell, a junior forward playing her first year on varsity. "Everyone on this team worked so hard to build our chemistry during the year and it has paid off."

Caldwell's first goal broke a scoreless tie 1:53 into the second half when she tapped in a crossing pass from senior Danielle McDiarmid. And the second one came with 16:59 remaining after a controversial play.

"The ref kicked one of the balls and the girl had a direct shot," said Crisfield senior defender Joanne Swift, who made several great stops during the game. "I was clearing the ball and it was going to go, but the ref stopped it with her foot."

Fallston coach Maddie Palko explained further: "It was unfortunate for them. The ref is part of the field and the rules say as long as the ref tries to get out of the way and doesn't advance the ball that play continues. One side [Crisfield] stopped expecting the whistle and we played until the whistle."

For Fallston (13-7), it was their 14th state championship overall.

"Our team did a great job defensively," said Fallston senior goalie Sarah DiMaggio, who made five saves and stood strong in the face of a flurry of shots in the closing minutes. "I think our composure at the end and the fact we worked hard to connect on the field during the season made the difference. When we do that, we're unstoppable."